Examining the news media reaction to a national sugary beverage tax in South Africa: a quantitative content analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

South Africa was the first sub-Saharan African country to implement a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax called the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) in April 2018. Given news media can increase public awareness and sway opinions, this study analyzed how the media represented the HPL, including expressions of support or challenge, topics associated with the levy, and stakeholder views of the HPL.

Methods

We performed a quantitative content analysis of online South African news articles related to the HPL published between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2019. We coded the presence or absence of mentions related to health and economic effects of the HPL and HPL support or opposition. Prevalence of these mentions, overall and by source (industry, government, academics, other

SUBMITTER: Essman M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7937301 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature